Q. Simplify the rational expression.x2−7x+122x2−5x−12
Factor Numerator and Denominator: Factor the numerator and the denominator.The numerator 2x2−5x−12 and the denominator x2−7x+12 can be factored into products of binomials.For the numerator, we look for two numbers that multiply to 2∗(−12)=−24 and add up to −5. These numbers are −8 and 3.For the denominator, we look for two numbers that multiply to 1∗12=12 and add up to −7. These numbers are −3 and −4.
Factor Using Found Numbers: Factor the numerator and the denominator using the numbers found in Step 1.The numerator factors to (2x−8)(x+3).The denominator factors to (x−3)(x−4).
Re-evaluate Factoring: Simplify the rational expression by canceling out common factors.We notice that (x+3) is not a common factor, but there seems to be a mistake in the factoring process as there is no common factor to cancel out. We need to re-evaluate the factoring of the numerator.
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